Vermont State Tree

The sugar maple tree became the official tree of Vermont through Senate Bill No. 3, approved by the Vermont State Legislature and signed by Governor Ernest W. Gibson, Jr.

No. 1 of the Acts of 1949, effective March 10, 1949, designated the Sugar Maple as the official State Tree. Probably no activity is so identified with Vermont as "sug'rin'," the production of maple syrup from the Sugar Maple. In late winter and early spring, sap is collected from the usually snow surrounded maple trees in a sugarbush and boiled in the sugarhouse to make syrup; in fact, Vermont has proclaimed "Maple" as in Maple Syrup, the official state flavor of the state.

In addition to the official state flavor of Vermont, the reds and yellows of the leaves of Acer saccharum are a key element in producing the scenic delights of Vermont's fall foliage.

------- from Office of the Secretary of State,Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual,Biennial Session, 1993-1994, p. 13.

From Seed to Maple Tree: Following the Life Cycle,
by Laura Purdie Salas. 24 pages. Publisher: Picture Window Books (September 1, 2008) Reading level: Ages 4-8. What does a seed need to grow? What color flowers does a sugar maple tree have? Let your mind bloom as you learn about the life cycle of a sugar maple tree.

The Vermont Life Guide to Fall Foliage: The Leaves and Landscape of a Northern Autumn,
by Charles W. Johnson and Gale Lawrence. 96 pages. Publisher: Vermont Life Magazine (July 20, 2007) When to go, where to go, and what to look for when you’re in search of Vermont’s brilliant autumn colors. Includes 65 walking tours, nine maps and many photos. This book is a great companion for fall travels and is a wonderful reference book anytime. Noted Vermont naturalists Charles W. Johnson and Gale Lawrence describe in color-coded sections, each tree species and the autumn colors they produce. There are also chapters that detail each type of fall landscape with driving tours and recommended walks throughout the state, including directions. Illustrated with drawings by Adelaide Murphy along with rich color photos.

A Field Guide to Eastern Trees (Peterson Field Guides) ,
by George A. Petrides. 448 pages. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2nd edition (July 15, 1998) This field guide features detailed descriptions of 455 species of trees native to eastern North America, including the Midwest and the South. The 48 color plates, 11 black-and-white plates, and 26 text drawings show distinctive details needed for identification. Color photographs and 266 color range maps accompany the species descriptions.

A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs,
by George A. Petrides. 464 pages. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Second Edition edition (September 6, 1973) All the wild trees, shrubs, and woody vines in the area north to Newfoundland, south to North Carolina and Tennessee, and west to the Dakotas and Kansas are described in detail. Accounts of 646 species include shape and arrangement of leaves, height, color, bark texture, flowering season, and fruit. Clear, accurate drawings illustrate leaves, flowers, buds, tree silhouettes, and other characteristics.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region,
by Elbert Luther Little. 716 pages. Knopf; Chanticleer Press Ed edition (May 12, 1980) Tree peepers everywhere will enjoy these two guides which explore the incredible environment of our country's forests-including seasonal features, habitat, range, and lore. Nearly 700 species of trees are detailed in photographs of leaf shape, bark, flowers, fruit, and fall leaves -- all can be quickly accessed making this the ideal field guide for any time of year.

Trees : National Champions (Hardcover)
by Barbara Bosworth. Bosworth captures the ineffable grace and dignity of trees with clarity and directness: the green ash that shades a midwestern crossroads, the common pear that blooms in a Washington field, and the Florida strangler fig with its mass of entwining aerial roots. Her black and white photographs, panoramic views taken with an 8 x 10 camera, show the immensity of the largest species and the hidden triumphs of the smallest